A landmark study by UNEP – published to coincide with World Environment Day – has concluded that the world’s deserts are facing dramatic changes due to climate change and increasing demand for water. Almost one-quarter of the earth’s land surface – some 33.7 million square kilometres – has been defined as “desert” in some sense. … Read More
Alternative energy
Europe’s Biggest Ever Wind Farm Gets Green Light
Europe’s largest-ever windfarm was granted permission yesterday by the Scottish Executive. It will be built at Whitelee, south of Glasgow, will cost £300m to build and its 140 turbines will produce enough electricity to power 200,000 homes.
Twenty Years on From Chernobyl the Answer is Blowing in the Wind
Twenty years after Chernobyl the nuclear industry is enjoying a renaissance it could only have dreamed of a few years ago. The twin issues of climate change and energy security have driven it up the political agenda both in Europe and in the US.
World Bank to Promote Clean Energy
The World Bank has unveiled a new project to promote the use of clean energy in developing countries, where it argues that up to 40 billion dollars a year is needed to cover the costs of adapting to projected climate change.
Monbiot: Why Fossil Fuels Are Best
Celebrated UK green activist and Guardian columnist, George Monbiot, today argues that “This is embarrassing, but I’ve become a fossil fuel supporter”. He argues: “I find myself at odds with almost everyone, by deciding, at the worst possible moment, that in one respect at least our battle against climate change depends on neither nuclear power … Read More
Renewable Energy Still Struggling
Renewable energy sill only accounts for 14 percent of the energy consumed in the world today, according to new figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA). This compares to six percent for nuclear power and a massive 80 percent for fossil fuels.
Bush Remarks on Oil Addiction Are Tipping Point for Renewable Energy
Interesting article from today’s Independent about how Bush’s remarks on oil addicition have boosted the renewable energy sector. So maybe he did some good after all. “When President George Bush talked about the US being ‘addicted to oil’ this year, even the hardest-nosed investors took notice”, ran the paper.
Blown Away By the Wind
Good news from Britain’s wind energy. It is set to exceed expectations with 50% more wind farms powering British homes and industry by 2010 than predicted four years ago, according to new figures published by the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA).
Americans “Disgruntled” With Bush on Climate
A staggering three-quarters of the American population are “disgruntled” about weak leadership from President Bush on climate change, and argue that the government should be doing more to promote renewable energy.
Centralised or Decentralised Energy: Which is Better?
Are we witnessing an about-turn in energy thinking in the UK? The Labour government, worried by climate change and energy security, is in the middle of a review on energy that will be published in the summer. All the pundits believe though that the government will commit itself to a new generation of nuclear power … Read More